Coin operated latch device



111622, 1955 J. l.. MlLAN'os ETAL 3,190,425

COIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, less 4 sheets-sheet 1 June 22 1965 J. l.. MILANos ETAL 3,190,425

COIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE Filed Aug. l2, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wom M\N QQN.

June 22, 1965 J. L.. MILANos ETAL 3,190,425

COIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE vr'iled Aug. 12,` 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 une 22. 3965 1.1.. MILANos Erm.

l'JOIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. L2.

United States Patent Orifice aisazs Patented June 22, 1965 3,190,425 COIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE Jerry L. Milanos and Angelo Milanos, both of 203 W. Water St., Hillsboro, Ill. Filed Aug. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 301,482 14 Claims. (Cl. 194-1) This invention relates to a latch device and, more particularly, to a coin operated latch device particularly suited for use with a dispenser for live fishing bait as disclosed in our copending patent application, Serial No. 47,859, filed August 5, 1960, now United States Letters Patent No. 3,105,320 of which this application is a contrinuation-in-part.

Previously proposed devices for dispensing live aquatic animals, and particularly fishing bait, have generally been impractical in that they are too large for the quantity f bait which they can hold, and are too complicated in design resulting in an unduly high initial cost and often a prohibitive maintenance cost. In addition, most prior devices do not permit a selection of different units of bait and, therefore, a fisherman cannot select the size and type of bait which he desires.

These difficulties and limitations have been effectively overcome by the dispenser disclosed in the previously mentioned patent application, wherein a coin operated latch device releasably holds an empty one of ka plurality of bait holding baskets in a cage structure surmounted on a cover movably mounted over an open top end of a water tank which contains the other bait holding baskets. The baskets are secured to the tank and the latch device releasably retainsthe empty basket in the cage so that the cover cannot be moved. Upon inserting a coin to release the latch device, the empty basket drops out of the cage and back into the tank, whereupon the cover can be freely rotated to a position over any selected full basket of bait which may then be moved into the cage for dispensing the bait, and when emptied this basket is retained in the cage as previously described.

s It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide a new and useful latch device. A related object is provision of such a latch device which is particularly suited for use with a dispenser as described in the aforementioned patent application.

Another object is provision of a new and useful latch device having a latched position for releasably holding a member in a latched position and operable to release the member, the latch device being automatically moved to its latched position upon movement of another meinber into its latched position. A related object is provision of such a latch device which is operable upon insertion of a coin. Still another related object is provision in such a latch device of a coin return mechanism.

A further object is provision of a new and useful coin return mechanism for a coin operated latch device.

These and other objects of the invention are more particularly set forth in the following description and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating `a preferred embodiment of a latch device of this invention in a normal latched position and illustrated in conjunction with a fishing bait dispenser, with parts broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 2 2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged top view of a portion of the dispenser and the latch device in the position of FIGURE l, with parts broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side view of the dispenser and latch device in the position of FIGURE 3, with parts broken away and removed for clearer illustration;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary top view, similar to FIG- URE 3, but with the latch device in a released position;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side view, similar to FIG- URE 4, but with the latch device in the position of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top view, similar to FIG- URE 3, but illustrating operation of a coin return mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary side view, similar to FIG- URE 4, but with the latch device in the position of FIG- URE 7; land FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the line 9-9 in FIGURE 6.

The live bait dispenser will be briey described herein, and reference may be had to the aforementioned patent application for a complete description. With reference to FIGURE l, a live fishing bait dispenser herein includes a generally cylindrical tank 10 mounted on depending supporting legs 12 welded, or otherwise suitably firmly secured, to a lower portion of a cylindrical side wall 14 of the tank. The tank has an open upper end which is herein defined by a rolled peripheral edge 16 to which are secured a plurality of upwardly extending eyes, as 1S. An annular rod 20 extends through the eyes 1S and overlies the rolled edge 16. A plurality of bait holding containers or baskets, as 22, are normally radially disposed within the tank 14. Each basket has a pair of extensions,-as 24, extending radially outwardly from the top of the sides of each basket, the extensions of each basket being received between adjacent eyes 18 to retain the respective basket in proper radial position within the tank. Each extension has a hole receiving the annular rod 20 for pivotally mounting the basket within the tank. More particularly, when the baskets 4are fully received within the tank 14 their bottoms rest on an annular rail 26 near a bottom wall 28 of the tank and rigidly secured within the tank as by spokes 30 which may have outer ends firmly secured to the cylindrical side wall 14, as by welding. The spokes 30 extend inwardly from the rail 26 and are secured to a center post 32 which is rigidly secured to and extends upwardly from an upwardly opening channel member 34 diametrically positioned with the tank 14 and spaced above the tank bottom wall Z8 with its opposite ends firmly secured to the cylindrical side wall 14, as by welding. Thus, the baskets 22 are mounted to be swung upwardly from their position within the tank 14 to a dispensing position which will be more fully described hereinafter.

A cover 36 is mounted for rotation above the open top end of the tank 14 to position a basket receiving cage 38 above any desired one of the baskets 22 within the tank 14 so that the basket may be moved to its dispensing position within the cage. The cover 36 may be of any suitable type and herein includes an annular rim 40 which is secured as by a plurality of radially extending spokes 42, to a depending center post 44 which is journaled within the tube 32 so that the cover 36 may rotate freely in a horizontal plane. Herein suitable wire mesh 45 is secured to the spokes and rim to effectively prevent a person from reaching into the tank 14. In order to service the dispenser as in filling the baskets 22 with live fish, an upwardly swinging hinged door 46 forms part of the cover and may be retained in closed position in any suitable rnanner as by a hasp and padlock 48, as shown in FIGURE 1. In order to steady the cover 36, a plurality of circumferentially spaced rollers, as 50, may be secured by suitable brackets 52 to the outer face of the annular rim 40 so that the rollers ride on an annular track 54 rigid- 1y secured to and extending outwardlykfrom the outer surface of thev tank cylindrical side wall 14.

An aerator 56, of any suitable type,vmay be provided for aerating the water within the tank 14as is Well understood in the art, `and herein the aerator is'associated Y with the center-post 44 of thel cover 36.

' In order to hold the cover 36 againstfree rotation, an empty basket 26 is releasably retained within the cage 38 by means of a latchdevice 60 f (FIGURES 3-8) The cage is of such shape as to permit a-basket22 to pass freely therethrough from yits position within the tank i tension spring 98 secured at one end to-the frame 80 as byra bolt 100 extending through an eye in the end of the spring and' threadedly secured in the frame,.and at an oppositepend this spring has an eye received byl a hook 102 formed integrally with the latch rearwardly of the pivot bolt 94. In cockedA position ofthe latch mechanism 60," a retaining portion 104 ofthe latch 90 eX- 'tends across the basket arm receiving slot 68 in the'upper 14 to its dispensing position wherein the bait within the y, tank are poured through a spout 62 in the annular rimj 40 of the cover at theouter end of the cage 38.' yThe cage is covered by a suitable wire mesh, as 63, vto prevent a person'from reaching a hand through thetageand into the baskets within the tank 14. Y i

Herein-the latch device 60 is coin operated to release a wall 70 of the kcage 38 so thatwhen the'bu'yer releases they basketA arm Y6,6 the arm -falls inwardly byjgravi-ty and against the retaining portion'104 of the latch.

As'previouslyv described, a prospective buyer insertsl a suitable coin in the coin receiving hole 72" and pushes .the slide actuator 74 inwardly'.k An inner end of theslide actuator 74 includes a latch releasing unit 110V including a bracket 112'f'rigidly secured, as by bolts 114, to an inner end rof-an actuator slide'plate 116 having an upturned grip 118 at Vi'ts'outer end.l The bracket 112 has' basket 22 retained within the cage 38 4and upon suchre- 'I lease,the basket drops back into theftank 14 whereupon which is integral -with and extends rearwardly from the selectedbasket 22. The arm is then lifted upwardly along an integral, upwardly extending bifurcated inner end 120. A depending actuatingpawl 122 is pivoted between upper portions-of the bifurcation as by'a horizontal pivot pin` in the form of a bolt 124. yA rear face of thepawl 122 Vis normally seated on a bight of the bifurcatedV portion i Y to limit rearward' swinging movement of vthe pawl, and

as the-1 slide actuator 74 is moved inwardly this pawl engages a pair of',r catches 130 and 132 pivoted for movement about afhorizontal axis defined by a bolt 134 exa path, and more particularly, through a slot 68 ina top and rear wall 70 of the cage 38,-until the arm member- 66 rests against thewall at the frontend of the slot 68 (FIGURE k2) so that the bait will slide through the spout 62. As the basket arm 66 moves upwardly through.

the slot 70-it automaticallyactuates the latch device 6i) from a released position to a latched,rcocked position Vso that 'when the basket arm 66 is released, it will tall, by`

gravity, rearwardly'to the position yshown by solid linesy in'FIGURES l and 2, and `as previously described is' retained in this normal position by the latchdevice 60.

The ylatch device 60 is operated'by depositing a suitablecoin within a coin receiving hole 72 in an actuating slide 74 (of any suitable commercially Iavailable coin slide actuator) which may then be pushed inwardly to deposit the coin within a housing 76 of the latch device. 60. Suchv movement ofthe slide 74 actuatesth'e latch deviceto rer-v lease the empty basket 22 within lthe cage 38and the'basl ket falls into the tank. A coin return grip 78 may then be operated by the ,buyer to return a coiny into al chute 79 whereupon the latch device is'automatically moved-back to its cocked position, in which position a basket 2 2 cannot be moved to its dispensing position within the cage 38, as will be more fully described hereinafter. y

' With reference to FIGURES 3V and 4, the latch device 69 is illustrated in its latched,l cocked, or iirst position as in FIGURES 1 and 2, wherein anempty basket 22j is retained .in normal position within theV cage 38. VThe latch housing 76 includesl a body or frametlxed, in

any suitable manner, on ,an upper portion of the cage 38.` In FIGURES 3.8 a/cover 82 (FIGURE 1)...is'removed for purposes of clearer illustration. 82 is operatively releasably secured to the framev 50 in any suitable manner as by a key operated lock 84 .(FIG-f UREV l) thereby providing a closed container :or de-V catches against movement axially against the bolt 134.

tending Ythrough holes in lowerportions of these catches and threadedlysecured in the boss 94.Y The` catch 130 has one side -face seated against the boss 94 to hold both A spiral tension spring 135 is secured at one end, as by a bolt, to the frame 80 behind the catch 130 and at an opposite endfto a hook J135 integral with the catch 130 rearwardly and below thel pivot bolt 134, thereby urging the catch 1731ik clockwise (FIGURE "4) to seatthe catch V130 against a shoulderi 136 of the latch 90 immediately rearwardly of the latch hub V92,'ther'eby releasahlyl hold- `ing the latch in yits cocked positionu, As theV pawll 122 movesr inwardlyr it 'engages the catchV 130 to pivot the catch rearwardly` so that vthe shoulder 136 is pivoted iby the'tension spring 98 into seated'engagement with the Vcatch 1323which is urged-clockwise (FIGURE 4) by ay spiral tension springy 1.37'rnounted similarly to the mounting of thespringf 135. Continued inward movement of they actuating slide 74 causes'the pawl 122 to engage v,and release the catch 132 from engagement with The `cover 60.

pository for receivingjthe'` coins from the coin receiving!V hole 72.

In the illustrated embodiment, .the latch device` in-y cludes a latch 90having a hub 92 which is seated on a boss 94 yformed integrally with and extending Vupwardly from a bottom wall 96 of the frame 80. ,A bolt v94 extends Afreely through a port in the boss and` is threadedly received by a threaded vertical socket in the boss 94, thereby mounting the latch 90 -for free pivotal movement between its cocked rst position (FIGURES- 3" and 4) andits released second position (FIGURES 5 and 6). As illustrated herein, the latch is urged to its released position-by resilient means, herein in the form of a spiral the shoulder 136 so that the latch90 is pivoted by the tension spring 98VV to its'released position as shown in FIGURES` 6rand 7 The function of the catches13tl and r132 will vbe Ymore fully described hereinafter with reference to the` coin return mechanism. As previously mentioned, as the latch V90 moves Vfrom its cocked to its released position, the retaining portion 104 of thek latch is pivoted counterclockwise:(FIGURE` 3) and outof the path 'of the arm 66 so that the arm may yfall inwardly and rearwardlyvuntil its basket 22 again rests onthe annular rod 14 withinrthe tank 26. l r Y VAfter the empty basket 22 has dropped out of the cage'BS and back v.to its normal position in the tank 1t), the c'over 36 may be manually rotated to a position y over a full basket 22 ofthe desired type of bait. Upon graspingV the arm 66 of the selected basket and, moving the arm upwardlythrough'the cage 'slot 68, the arm engages a cocking portion (FIGURE 5) of the latch f90. Continued movement of the arm 66 tomove thek full basket 22 to its dispensingl position results in the arm f sliding outwardly along the cooking portion 140 while pivoting the latch 9G clockwise from its released position (FIGURE 5 )y to `its cocked position (FIGURE 3).

During such movementr'the arm 66 engages a pivoted tab 142V pivoted on an outer vend of the latch cocking portion 140 andswings the tab from the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the position shown by dotted line in FIGURE 3.. As thebasket 22 is moved to, itsr dispensing position, as shown by dotted line at the right hand side of FIGURE 2, the latch 90 moves clockwise past the latched position of FIGURE 3 as the arm 66 moves past the outer end of the tab 142 whereupon the latch spring 98 pivots the latch 9i) counterclock-Wise to seat the shoulder 36 against the catch 130, thus providing holding means for holding the latch in its cocked position. After the bait has been dispensed from the basket 22 and arm 66 has been released, the basket and arm pivot rearwardly and inwardly and the arm engages the tab `142 and pivots it counterclockwise from the dotted position to generally the solid position shown in FIGURE 3 whereupon the arm 66 comes to rest against the retaining portion 104 of the latch 90, as previously described.

Herein, coin return means is provided and is operable, when a suitable coin is placed in the coin receiving hole 72 and the actuator slide 116 is pushed inwardly to release the latch 9@ so that the basket 22 and its arm 66 may drop back into the tank 11i, for returning a coin and moving the latch back to its cocked position whereupon a stop portion 148 of the latch 90 is positioned across the cage slot 68 in the path of an arm 66 which might be moved through the slot, thus preventing a full basket from being emptied after the coin has been returned. The coin return means includes a stop member 150 which is positioned across the cage slot 68 and thus blocks the path of any arm 66 which might be moved toward its dispensing position as the latch 90 is being moved from its released position (dotted lines in FIG- URE 7) to its latched position (solid lines in FIG- URE 7).

More particularly, the coin return means includes a return unit 152 comprising a coin return slide operating part 154 and a generally U-shaped stop part 156 having a bight portion 158 connecting a leg defined by the stop member and a second leg 160. The stop part 156 .is pivoted to the frame 80 by means of a vertical bolt 162 extending through a hole at the juncture of the bight 158 and the stop member 150 and this bolt is threadedly received in a boss 164 of the frame 80. The coin return slide 154 extends through a slot 166 (FIGURE 8) in an upwardly extending front or outer wall 168 of the `frame S0, and at an opposite end is seated in a cradle atop a pillar 170 extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the frame, and at an intermediate portion in a second cra-die portion atop a pillar 172 also extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the frame 80, thus mounting the coin return slide 154 for sliding movement lengthwise of the frame 6). The grip '78 is provided on an outer end of the coin return slide 154 for moving the slide outwardly from a normal position as shown in FIGURE 3 to a coin return position as shown in FIG- URE 7. A spiral tension spring 176 is connected at one end to a hook 178 integral with the coin return slide 154 between the cradle pillars 171D and 172, and at an opposite end this spring is secured to the rear of the frame 8i) by means of the bolt 100. The inner end of the coin return slide 154 has an integral upwardly extending finger 182 received in an elongated slot 184 extending longitudinally of the stop part bight 15S so that as the coin return grip 7S is pulled outwardly to its coin return position the finger 182 pivots the stop part 156 about the vertical axis of the bolt 162 to move the stop member 151i into position extending across the cage slot 68 and into the path of any arm 66 moving through the slot 68. Simultaneously, an abutment 186 on the free end of the other leg 161i of the U-shaped stop part 156 pivots into the path of the latch releasing pawl 122 to block inward movement of the actuating slide 116 so that the catches 139 and 132 are not again engaged by the pawl 122 and the catches are in condition to again hold the latch 90 in cocked position. A second abutment finger 199, here on the coin return slide 154 is.

ypositioned to engage an inner surface 192 defining a cut. out inthe latch 90 for pivoting the latch from its released 6 position as shown by dotted line in FIGURE 7, to its latched position as shown by solid line in FIGURE 7, upon moving the coin return grip 73 from its normal to its coin return position (FIGURE 7).

In order to prevent operation of the coin return means when the latch is in its latched position, the latch carries a holding pawl 194, urged by gravity to a lower normal holding position. When the holding pawl 194 is in its holding position and the latch 90 is in its latched position, as shown by solid lines in FIGURE 7, the holding pawl 194 is in position to engage a iinger 196 which is integral with the return slide 154 and extends generally transversely of the body so that the coin return slide 154 cannot be moved from its normal to its coin return position. As the latch moves to its released position, the holding pawl 194 is swung out of the path of the finger 196 and the coin return slide 154 can be moved to coin return position thus returning the latch 90 to its latched position. Thereupon, when the coin return slide 154 is released it engages and raises the holding pawl 194 so that the coin return unit can return to its normal position.

Means for preventing outward movement of the actuating slide 116 after it has been moved inwardly suiciently for its actuating pawl 122 to release the first catch 130 is provided by a pair of swinging retaining pawls 200 swingably mounted on opposite end portions of a horizontal shaft 292 suitably secured in upstanding ears 204 on the actuating slide '74 at either end of the shaft. Each pawl 290 has depending front and rear corners 206 (FIGURE 8) positioned to seat in series of teeth 208 on either side of the actuating slide 116 so that as the actuating slide is moved inwardly and the pawls 200 are swung clocklwise (FIGURE 8) their front corners seat in the teeth 208 thus preventing the slide from being withdrawn. After the slide has been moved inwardly an amount sufficient to release the second catch 132, the front corners 206 pass over vertical edges 210 on the actuating slide 116 at the front ends of the respective series of teeth 298 so that as the slide now moves outwardly the pawls are rotated counterclockwise (FIGURE 8) and their rear corners ride over the teeth and prevent inward movement of the actuating slide 208. The releasing pawls 264 are urged to a normal, intermediate position by over center springs, as 212, one connected with each pawl 26@ and with the actuating slide 116 outwardly of the releasing pawl. A suitable spring 214 is provided for urging the actuating slide 116 to its outer post position.

When a coin is deposited in a coin receiving hole 72 of the actuating slide 116, and the slide is then moved inwardly, the return unit is in normal position and the coin drops downwardly from the coin receiving hole .72 and into an upwardly opening V-shaped coin receiver 229 mounted on the coin return slide 154 and having an open lower end so that the coin rests on an abutment or retainer Z22 which is integral with the frame 80 immediately below the return coin receiver. Upon moving the return unit to coin return position, the receiver moves the coin ofi the abutment whereupon this coin drops through an opening in the bottom wall of the frame and into the coin return chute 79.

To summarize the operation of the latch device, with an empty basket 22 hold in the cover cage 38 with its arm 66 resting against the retaining portion 104 of the latch 90, as shown in FIGURES l-4, a coin is inserted in the coin receiving hole 72 of the actuating slide 116. The slide may then be pushed inwardly by means of its grip 118 to deposit the coin in the coin receiver 226 and to move the actuating pawl 122 into engagement with the iirst catch 130, thereby releasing this catch from engagement with the latch shoulder 136 and permitting this shoulder to swing into engagement with the second catch 132. The actuating slide 116 is held in-this position by the releasing pawls 200 engaging the respective tracks 298 on the actuating slide 116, andin this position the` coin return means cannot be operated because the second abutment'linger 186 on the stop ypart 156 will engage the inner portion of the actuating slide. Upon further-inward movement of the actuating slide 116 the second catch 132 and the pawls 200 are released and then the actuating slide may returnvto its normaloutward position.- Upon release of the second catch 132, the latch 90 moves to its released position so that .the empty basket 22 drops back into the tank 10. The cover 36 may now be rotatedV so that the cage 33 is above a full basket 22 Vand the arm of this basket grasped, through the opening defined by the frarne 64 in the cover, andlifted toward dispensing position throughthe slot 68 inthe cage 38thus engaging the cocking portion 140 of the latch 90 to swing the latch from its released position to its latched position as the basketV is drawn into the dispensing position whereupon the bait flows outwardly through the spout 62 in the cover 36. Upon releasing the'v arm 66 'of the emptied basket, the basket and arm fall rearwardly .past the'tab 142 ofthe cocking portion of the latch and rest .against the retainingl portion 104 of the latch as previously described. `After the latch has been moved by the actuating slide 116 from its latched to its released position, so that the emptied basket drops out of the cage 3S yand backinto thertank 10, should the prospective buyer discover that all of thel bait baskets are empty, or for any other reason desire return of his money rather than `a basket of bait, `he pulls the coin return grip 78 outwardly'from its normal positionv (FIGURE 3) to its coin return position (FIGURE "7) whereupon the coin receiver 220 moves rearwardly toy move the return coin 226 otf of the abutment 2,22 land the return coin falls into the coinrreturn chute 79. As previously discussed, the coin return means Vcannot be operated'unless the latch 90 is in its released position-V movement to said coin return position when said latch is in said second position for releasing the last said coin and for releasing said latch for movementto said first position.

3. A coin operated latch device comprising, coin receiving means, a latch operable between a iirst position and a second position, means including an actuatingl member operable uponsaid coin're'ceiving means receiving a coin for depositing the coin and positioningof said latch in said Vsecond position, vmeans vfor releasably retaining said latchv in said second position, and coin return means operable between a" normal position Yand a coin return l position and when in'V said-normal position for releasably After return of the coin and release of the coin return grip 78, the stop member 150 moves out of the path of an arm 66 through Vthe slot 68,1-but the stop portion 148 of the latch 90 is `positioned across the slot 68 to prevent any ybasket from being 'moved from within the tank to the 'dispensing position. e l

While this .invention has been described with particular referencey to certain structure, features, and 'operationtin a particular environment, vvarious changes may be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is, therefore,'not to be limited -as such structure, features, operation or environment. Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: y L

1. A coinoperated latch device comprising, coin Vreceiving means, a latch operable between a iirst position and asecond position, means including an Vactuating member operableupon said coin receiving means receiving a coin for positioning said latch in said second position, means for releasably retaining said latch in said second position, and coin return means operable between a normal position anda coin return position and when in said normal positionifor releasably retaining a coin, and upon movement to said coin return positionand operation of said actuating 'means to move said latch to said secondy position for releasing the last said coin and for releasing said latch from said second position for movement `to said first position. Y

2. A coin operated latch device comprising, coin receiving means, a latch operable between ya rst position and a second position, means including an actuating member operable upon said coin receivinghmeans receiving retaining a coin, and upon movement to said coin return position when saidlatchtis in said second position for releasing the last'said coin and for releasing said latch for movement to said first position.

4. A coin operated latch vdevice comprising, ,coin receiving means, an' actuating member operable upon said coin receiving means receivingV a coin for depositing the :coin inr a depository,.a latch'operablebetween a first position and a second position upon operation of said actuating member, means for releasably retaining said latch in said second position, a coin return mechanism including, an operating part mounted for operation' between a norrnal position vandra coin return position when said actuating vmember is in said second position, means including a return coinreceiver for receivingk av coin from said coin receiving means and releasably retaining the last said coinwhen said operating part is in said normal position and for releasing the last said coin upon movement of said operatingpart'to said return position, and means for releasing said latch from said second position and moving said latch to said irst'positiony as said operating part moves t-o said'return position.

receiver for receiving a return coin from said coin receiving means and releasably retaining said return coin lwhen said coin return VVmeans is in said normal position, said rece1ver being` mounted for movement to a kcoin releasing `'position upon movement of said coin return means to said return position, means for preventing operation of said com return means when said latch is in said irst position Vand for operation of saidy coin return means upon movement of'said latch to said second position, a stop member mounted ,for movement between a normal position and a stop position for effectively stopping movementof said member, means for moving said stop member to said stop position upon movement of said receiver to said coin releasing position,means for moving said latch to said rst position as said coin return means moves to said coin return position, and means for preventing movement of the latch to said second position when said coin return means is moved fromits normal position.

'6. Afcoin operated latch device comprising, a body including a coin depository, coin receiving means includingan actuating Ymember operableronly upon receiving a coin for depositing the coin in the coin depository, a latch operable between a rst position for-effectively holding a member anda second position for releasing the member, coin return means including antoperating part mounted for operation between a normal position and a coin re- '1:urrrposition,y a return coinreceiver for receiving a return coin from said coin receiving means and co-operating with a retainer on said body for releasably retaining said return coin and by-passing subsequent coins to said depository when said operating part is in said normal position, said receiver being mounted on said operating part for movement of said receiver to a coin releasing position with the return coin out of engagement with said retainer upon movement of said operating part to said return position, resilient means urging said operating part to said normal position, means for preventing operation of said coin return means when said latch is in said first position and including a pawl, means mounting said pawl for operation of said return coin means upon movement of said latch-to said second position, a stop member mounted on said body for movement between a normal position and a stop position for effectively stopping movement of said member, resilient means urging said stop member to said normal position, means for moving said stop member to said stop position upon movement of said receiver to said coin releasing position and including a pin and slot connection between said operating part and said stop member, means for moving said latch to said first position as said operating part moves to said coin return position and including an abutment on said operating part for engaging said latch, and means on said stop member for preventing movement of the latch to said second position when said operating part is moved from its normal position.

7. A latch mechanism comprising, means including a latch operable between first and second positions, holding means normally releasably retaining said latch in said first position and operable for releasing said latch for movement to said second position, actuating means for releasing said holding means and including a normally inoperable actuator operable in a first direction for releasing said holding means, means for rendering said actuator operative, and means operable upon movement of said actuator in said first direction an amount sufficient to release said holding means for releasably holding said actuator against movement in a return direction opposite said first direction and releasing said actuator for movement in said return direction after said actuator has moved in said first direction an amount sufficient to release said holding means.

8. For use with a device having members movable along a path in either of opposite directions, a coin operated latch mechanism for controlling movement of said members along the path, said latch mechanism comprising, means including a latch operable between first and second positions for holding any one of said members against movement in one of said directions when said latch is in said first position and permitting such movement when said latch is in said second position, and for engagement by any of said members moving along the path in a direction opposite said one direction when said latch is in said second position, means mounting said latch for movement from said second position to said first position responsive to the last said member being moved along said path in said opposite direction, holding means normally releasably retaining said latch in said first position and operable for releasing said latch for movement to said second position, actuating means for releasing said holding means and including a normally inoperable actuator operable in a first direction for releasing said holding means, coin receiving means for rendering said actuator operative upon receiving a coin and for depositing the coin upon operation of said actuator to release said holding means, means operable upon movement of said actuator in said first direction an amount insufficient to release said holding means for releasably holding said actuator against movement in a return direction opposite said first direction and releasing said actuator for movement in said return direction after said actuator has moved in said first direction an amount sufiicient to release said holding means, and means for preventing movement of any of said members opposite said one direction during operation of said coin return means.

9. For use with a device having members movable along a path in either of opposite directions, a coin operated latch mechanism for controlling movement of said members along the path, said latch mechanism comprising, means including a latch operable between first and second positions for holding any one of said members against movement in one of said directions when said latch is in said rst position and permitting such movement when said latch is in said second position, and for engagement by any of said members moving along the path in a direction opposite said one direction when said latch is in said second position, means mounting said latch for movement from said second position to said first position responsive to the last said member being moved along said path in said opposite direction, holding means normally releasably retaining said latch in said first position and operable for releasing said latch for movement to said second position, actuating means for releasing said holding means and including a normally inoperable actuator operable in a first direction for releasing said holding means, coin receiving means for rendering said actuator operative upon receiving a coin and for depositing the coin upon operation of said actuator to release said holding means, means operable upon movement of said actuator in said first direction an amount insufficient to release said holding means for releasably holding said actuator against movement in a return direction opposite said first direction and releasing said actuator for movement in said return direction after said actutaor has moved in said first direction an amount sufficient to release said holding means, coin return means operable upon a coin being received by said coin receiving means and prior to a member being moved along the path in said one direction when said latch is in said second position for returning a coin and moving said latch to said first position, and means for preventing movement of any of said members opposite said one direction during operation of said coin return means.

19. A latch mechanism comprising, means including a latch operable between first and second positions, holding means including first and second catches normally releasably retaining said latch in said first position and upon release of said first catch said second catch releasably retaining said latch in position for movement to said second position, actuating means for releasing said holding means and including an actuator operable in a first direction for releasing said holding means, said first catch before said second catch, and means operable upon movement of said actuator in said first direction an amount 4sufficient to release said first catch but less than that required to release said second catch for releasably holding said actuator against movement in a return direction opposite said first direction and releasing said actuator for movement in said return direction after said actuator has moved in said first direction an amount sufficient to release said second catch.

11. For use with a device having members movable along a path in either of opposite directions, a coin operated latch mechanism for controlling movement of said members along the path, said latch mechanism comprising, means including a latch operable between first and second positions for holding any one of said members against movement in one of said directions when said latch is in said first position and permitting such movement when said latch is in said second position, and when said latch is in said second position for engagement by any of said members moving along the path in a direction opposite said one direction, means mounting said latch for movement from said second position to said first position responsive to the last said member being moved along said path in said opposite direction, holding means including first and second catches normally l1 rcleasably retaining said latch in said tirst positionV and upon release of said rst catch said second catch releasably retaining said latch in position for movement to said second position,tactuating means for releasing said holding means and including a normally inoperabley actuator operable in a iirst direction for releasing'said holding means, said first catchY before said second catch, coin receiving means for rendering said actuator operative upon receiving acoinr and for depositing the coinupon operation of said actuator to release said first catch, means operable'uponmovement 'of said actuator in said iirst direction an amount suthcient to release said iirst catch but less thanv that required to release said second catch for releasably holding saidv actuator against ymovement in a return direction opposite 'said iirst direction and releasy the path opposite said onedirection after said actuating f latch to said" cocked position and including, a manually operable coin return part slidably mounted on said body and movable betweena normal position and a coin return position, means including a detent on said latch for holding said return part against movement from said'normal position to said coin return position whensaid latch is in saidV cocked position Yand said detent being movable with said latch toreleased position-of said latchto permit movement of said return part from said normal position to said coin return position,- and means mounting said detent'for movement of'said returnpart from said coin return position to said normal positionrwhcn' said latch `is` in said cocked position, and means for preventingmovement of any of said members opposite said one 'direction upon movement of said return part'to said coin return position and including `a vnormally retracted :stop member operatively ',connectedrwith said return part and pivotallyV mountedjon said body for movement into said Y pathassaid return part movesto said coin return posimeans has released both catches for returning' a coinand moving said latch to said iirst position, and means for preventing movement of any of said members opposite said one direction during operation of said coin return f 1.2.` For use with a dispensing device having containersl each with an arm member movable along a path in eitherv of Iopposite directions and normally urged in one of said one direction When said latch*L is in said cocked position and permitting such movement'when said latch is in said released position, and a cocking portion for extending into said path in position for engagement with a member moving along the path in a direction opposite said one direction when said latch is lin said released position and out of said path when said latch is in said cocked position,

means pivotally mounting said latch omsaidbody for t movement from said released `position to vsaid cocked ,toward said coinreturn position.

tion, and co-operatingpmeans on said stop member and said actuator Vto prevent movement of said actuator to release said first catchvvhen `said return Vpart is moved l3The latch device of claim 12 and means on said latch including a` stop portion v'for preventing movement of( amernber along said path in said opposite direction Whensaid latch is in said latched position.

14. Forlusewith a `devicehaving arm members each individually movable along a path in either of opposite directions and normally urged in one of said directions, a coin operated latch mechanism for controlling movement of said members along the path, ysaid 'latchV mechanism comprising, means including a latch operableV between rst and second positions and including, a retaining portion for extending into the path and holding a randomly selected oneofl-said members along the path and against movement in said one direction when said latch is in said Virst positionand permitting such movement when said 'latch is 4in said second position, and another portion for extending into said path in position for engagement with one of .said Vmembers moving'along the path in said opposite direct-ion when said latch is in said second `position fand free of Vthe lastsaid member When said latch is in .v saidrirst position, meansmounting said ylatch for moveposition responsive to any of said membersbeing moved along said path in said'opposite direction in 'engagement with .said cocking portion, means urging saidl latch to said .released position, holding means including irst and second catches pivotally mounted on said body and normally releasably retaining said latch in said cocked position and upon release of said first catch said second catch releasably retaining said latch in position for movement to said released position, actuating means for releasing said hold- Vment-from said .second Vposition to said lirst position responsive to one of said members being moved along said Y ypath in said opposite direction in 'engagement With said vto release said iirst catch, means operable upon movev ment of said actuator in said first direction an amount sufficient vto release said rst catch but less than that required to release said second catch for releasably holding said actuator against movement in a returndirection opposite said rst direction and releasing said actuator for movement in said return direction after said actuator has moved in said iirst direction an amount suihcient to release said second catch, and means normally urging said other portion, means urging said latch to said second position, holdingV means includingV first and second catches normally releasably retaining said latch in said iirst position and upon release of said first catch said second catch releasably retaining said latch -in position for movement to said second position, actuating means on said'body for releasing said holding means and including, manually operable means including aV normally inoperable slide actuator operable in a first direction for releasing said holding means, said iirst catch before said second catch, coin receiving means for rendering said actuator operative to r-eleasesaid first catch upon receiving a coin, means operable upon movement or" said actuator in said iirst direction an amount sutiicient Vto release said tirst catch but less than that requiredV to release said second catch Vfor releasably holding said actuator against movement in a return direction opposite said iirst direction and releasing vsaid actuator for movement in said return direction after said actuator has moved in said rst direction'an .amountsuthcient to release said second catch, and means normally urging said actuator in .said return direction, coin return means operable upon a coin being received by said coin receiving means andL prior to a member being moved along the path opposite said one direction after said actuating means has releasedboth catches for returning a coinand moving said latch to said iirst position and including, a manually operable return part movable between anormal position and a coin return position, means 13 including a detent for holding said return part against movement from said normal position to said coin return position when said latch is in said first position and said detent being movable with said latch to said second position of said latch to permit movement of said return part from said normal position to said coin return position, and means mounting said detent for movement of said return part from said coin return position to said normal position when said latch is in said rst position, and means for preventing movement of any of said members opposite said one direction upon movement of said return i4 part to said coin return position and including a normally retracted stop member on said return part and mounted for movement into said path as said return part moves to said coin return position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,863,587 12/58 Schinzel.

10 SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A. FALLER, IR., Examiner'. 

1. A COIN OPERATED LATCH DEVICE COMPRISING, COIN RECEIVING MEANS, A LATCH OPERABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION AND A SECOND POSITION, MEANS INCLUDING AN ACTUATING MEMBER OPERABLE UPON SAID COIN RECEIVING MEANS RECEIVING A COIN FOR POSITIONING SAID LATCH IN SAID SECOND POSITION MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID LATCH IN SAID SECOND POSITION, AND COIN RETURN MEANS OPERABLE BETWEEN A NORNAL POSITION AND A COIN RETURN POSITION AND WHEN IN SAID 